Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

611.51/9–2554: Telegram

No. 660
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State¹

top secret

Paris, September 25, 1954—11 a.m.

1272. Mendes in preparation for difficulties he will face on return of Parliament has launched press campaign to effect that US Government in general and Secretary Dulles in particular are engaged in attempt to overthrow his government.² His obvious motive is to rally chauvinistic and nationalistic feeling to his side as he did so successfully after Brussels. I feel that this Mendes tactic must be borne constantly in mind and that no opportunity should be given him to imply that US or its representatives have treated France with anything other than correct politeness.

Dillon

1. Repeated to London for the Secretary, who was there to attend the Nine-Power Conference, Sept. 28–Oct. 3, 1954; regarding this conference, see the editorial note, vol. v, Part 2, p. 1848.
2. Mendès-France’s anger at Dulles was partially due to Dulles’ refusal to visit Paris on his brief trip to Europe, Sept. 16–17, during which he met with Chancellor Adenauer in Bonn and then with Foreign Secretary Eden in London; for documentation on Dulles’ trip and Mendès-France’s reaction to it, see vol. v, Part 2, pp. 1195 ff.